The hunt is on! The classic Thanksgiving event has returned, bringing with it the chaos of Super Turkeys and a cornucopia of boosted rates.
- Dates: November 25, 2025 – December 8, 2025
- What to Expect:
- Scavenger Hunt: Hunt down the genetically modified Super Turkeys to harvest wishbones.
- Crafting Rewards: Use your wishbones to craft the coveted Turkey Costume, Ugly Sweater skins, and other festive cosmetics.
- Normal Chibis and Rare chibis
- Boosted Rates (Official Network):
- PvP/PvE: 2x Harvesting, Taming, XP, and Breeding.
- Small Tribes: 4.5x Harvesting/Taming/XP + 4x Breeding.
- ARKpocalypse: 5x Harvesting, Taming, XP, and Breeding.
Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate the Super Turkeys. Use a Giga or an Carcha
🗺️ Map Spotlight: Valguero Ascended
If you haven’t transferred over yet, the Valguero Ascended map is the current hot topic. After a few delays shifting it from its original October target, the map has arrived with its stunning 63 square kilometers of diverse biomes—from the White Cliffs to the Abberation Trench.
- New Creatures: Keep an eye out for the Elderclaw, a fierce new addition that launched alongside the map updates.
- Why Play It? Valguero offers one of the best base-building environments and a unique “triple threat” boss arena that challenges even the most seasoned tribes.
❄️ Coming in December 2025
December is shaping up to be massive. We aren’t just getting a holiday event; we are getting a brand-new chapter in the ARK saga.
1. ARK: Lost Colony (DLC Expansion)
- Release Window: December 2025
- The Scoop: This is the big one. Lost Colony is a narrative-heavy expansion that bridges the gap between Extinction and Genesis. It promises to answer burning lore questions and sets the stage for the future of the franchise.
- Key Features:
- New Creatures: Including the recently released Ossidon (available now if you own the pass) and other unrevealed beasts.
- Cinematic Storytelling: Rumors and roadmap hints point to high-quality anime-style cutscenes (produced in collaboration with Studio MAPPA) to tell a deeper story.
- New Tech: Expect new Tek tier items and structures to aid your survival.
2. Winter Wonderland 2025
- Expected Dates: ~December 23, 2025 – January 9, 2026 (Based on previous years)
- The Vibe: The islands will be covered in snow, and RaptorClaus will fly across the night sky dropping high-tier loot, coal, and mistletoe.
- Look Out For:
- GachaClaus: Trade your coal and mistletoe for crystals containing exclusive items and chibi pets.
- Event Colors: Wild dinos will spawn in festive reds, greens, and whites.
- Santa’s Big Helper Yeti: A terrifyingly festive mini-boss often found wandering the maps.
🔭 The Road Ahead: 2026 Roadmap
Studio Wildcard has already sketched out the plan for the coming year. While dates are subject to change, here is the current trajectory for survivors looking long-term:
- April 2026: Genesis Part 1 Ascended – The simulation begins. Prepare for the Bog, Arctic, Ocean, Volcanic, and Lunar biomes in UE5 glory.
- August 2026: Genesis Part 2 Ascended – The conclusion of the Genesis saga aboard the massive colony ship.
- December 2026: Fjordur Ascended – The fan-favorite Norse mythology map returns with its unique realms (Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Asgard).
Survivors, What’s Your Plan?
With the Turkey Trial rates active right now, it’s the perfect time to breed up your boss armies or stockpile resources for the Lost Colony launch next month.